| |
|
SAULONG TARGETS UPSET IN IBF WORLD TITLE BOUT
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr. PhilBoxing.com Wed, 28 Feb 2018

Under the radar contender Ernesto Saulong will try to beat the odds when he fights IBF world junior featherweight world champ Ryosuke Iwasa of Japan on March 1 in Tokyo.
The 28 year old Saulong (21W-2L-1D,8KO?s) is ranked number 13 in the January 2018 ratings of the International Boxing Federation. He has benefited from being one of the sparring partners of IBF junior bantamweight champion Jerwin Ancajas last January. Ancajas, who is a southpaw like Iwasa, was preparing for his February title defense against Mexican Israel Gonzalez in his secluded training camp in Magallanes, Cavite.
Joven Jimenez, who trains Ancajas, is also with Saulong for this crucial fight. ?Maganda ang kondisyon, handing handa na.? Jimenez told this writer in a phone conversation. (He is in good condition and is ready.)
?Kumakain pa nga, walang problema sa timbang pag weigh-in.? Jimenez added. (He is even eating well. There will be no problems during the weigh-in.)
Iwasa (24W-2L,16KO?s), also 28 years old, will be making the first defense of the title he won by sixth round TKO against countryman Yukinori Oguni.
Iwasa has a long list of Filipino boxers that he has beaten ? Marvin Tampus, Jerope Mercado, Mark John Yap, Jecker Buhawe, Richard Pumicpic, Ricardo Roa, Marlon Arcilla, Dennis Tubieron and Glen Medura.
Three years ago, Saulong beat fellow Filipino Alie Laurel for the WBC International bantamweight title by unanimous decision in a fight held in Kunming, China.
In his next overseas stint, Saulong would lose to Lwandile Sityatha by unanimous verdict for the WBO International belt in South Africa.
Saulong will be looking to join the list of Filipino boxers who captured world titles on Japanese soil ? Bernabe Villacampo, Erbito Salavarria, Morris East, Gerry Pe?alosa, Luisito Espinosa, Joma Gamboa and Milan Melindo.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Llover vows comeback By Joaquin Henson, , Mon, 08 Jun 2026Banawa, rules National Age Group Chess Championship By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 08 Jun 2026Saludar arrives in Japan to fight on June 10 By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 07 Jun 2026Eala wins her 2nd WTA title at Lexus Birmingham Open By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 07 Jun 2026Mindoro beats Mexican, stays undefeated By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 07 Jun 2026Panamanian Government, Roberto "Hands of Stone" Durán, and the Mexican Márquez Brothers Join Forces for Amateur Boxing Megaproject By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 07 Jun 2026Alex Eala advances to Birmingham Open finals By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 07 Jun 2026Santé Barley Trilogy Run Asia 2026 Davao Leg 2 By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 07 Jun 2026Casimero stops Nery in 4th round By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 06 Jun 2026Edward Vazquez keeps title hopes alive by winning razor-thin unanimous decision over Daniel Lugo in Main Event of ProBoxTV , Sat, 06 Jun 2026LABAN PILIPINAS! Kenneth Llover Ready to KO His Way to a World Title Shot By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 06 Jun 2026Nery Does It Again: Overweight, But Casimero Says Let’s Fight! By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 06 Jun 2026Undefeated Gabriela Tellez to Challenge Elif Nur Turhan for IBF Lightweight World Title June 13 in Glendale, AZ , Sat, 06 Jun 2026SHEFFIELD FIGHT WEEK: OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN RESULTS, FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER FOR PADLEY VS FIAZ – LIVE ON DAZN , Sat, 06 Jun 2026Bruce “2.0” Seldon Jr.: From a Champion’s Son to Heavyweight Headliner , Sat, 06 Jun 2026Mexican fighter ¨Artillero¨Rodriguez passes away after suffering brain injury on weekend fight By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 06 Jun 2026NEGROS OCCIDENTAL PILLARS CROWNED SBA SEASON 2 CHAMPIONS By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 06 Jun 2026Weights from Japan: Llover - 117.7 lbs., Angeletti - 117.5 lbs. By Dong Secuya, , Fri, 05 Jun 2026Antonio Vargas Locked in for Career-Defining Title Defense Against Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez as Training Camp Winds Down , Fri, 05 Jun 2026Weights From ‘Vazquez vs. Lugo’ Event from College Park Center in Arlington, TX, & Broadcast Live on ProBoxTV , Fri, 05 Jun 2026SHEFFIELD FIGHT WEEK PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES: EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID AS JOSH PADLEY AND AQIB FIAZ FACE OFF , Fri, 05 Jun 2026“I would not say Yoka is more dangerous.” Murat Gassiev's coach Kadushin on boxer's training camp , Fri, 05 Jun 2026Homecoming for super middleweight prospect Elijah Garcia to be showcased June 20 on Kingsley Ibeh vs. Dante Stone card in Phoenix , Fri, 05 Jun 2026Amateur Standout Kayla "The Truth" Gomez Set for Professional Debut on MF Pro's "Pugilist Revolution" June 19 in Long Beach , Fri, 05 Jun 2026Tancontian to lead PH team in Sambo Asia-Oceania By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 05 Jun 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|